Spring Break \’08: Arkansas

When I first arrived in Stephens I wondered why anyone would like to live in a place like this.  This is a rural area with very few resources, the school is the largest employer of the community! (with a high school student population of around 200)  After speaking with Mr. Cowen and one of the teachers at the school I understand there is a need for educated persons in this community.  There is a need for good role models for these students.  The reason many of the teachers are here at Stephens High School is because they realize there is a need, these teachers could teach anywhere in the nation but they choose to stay here.  I understand there may be other factors keeping them in the community such as family, but I am amazed at how much the facility (I have had the pleasure of meeting) cares about the student body.  Many of the students we have talked about mention they want to leave this area, and I can clearly understand why.  However, it is my hope that these young people will realize how much the community will need them after they are educated because there are students from Stephens that will become college educated.  I hope they will understand the impact they can have on the community and on the world.

Wednesday we spent our morning at Stephens High School with the students. Some of us went to their classes and some of us offered one-on-one counseling. I helped with the counseling; we asked eleventh and twelfth grade students what they planned to do after high school. Tuesday was the first time we met the students and trying to establish a connection with someone over a couple of days is difficult for anyone. I felt it was especially difficult for us to do establish meaningful relationships with the Stephens High School students because they outnumbered us, we are older and we will only be at the school for a few days.

Yesterday it was easy for me to get to know many students on a superficial level, I learned some new names, I was able to find out what classes they were taking and I found out what their post high school graduation plans were. At the end of yesterday I just felt I hadn’t made enough of a connection with the Stephens High School students. On Tuesday I had the opportunity to speak with a few students one-on-one but most of them felt more comfortable mingling with their group of friends just as we did. Today while the students were sitting in on Dr. Hattery and Dr. Smith’s lecture, many seemed more engaged.

One of the things that really shocked me when conducting the individual counseling sessions was that many of these students just need a little bit of a push. As small and rural as Stephens, AR is there is still pressure from whatever of source to attend college. Most students mentioned that they wanted to go to college and most wanted to get out of the area.One of the most important things I noticed was that they did not really understand the college admission process. Most students had been contacted by colleges and universities in one way or another (through phone calls or via mail).I believe having the individual counseling was beneficial for both them and us; I really felt that I helped make a difference in their perspective. I tried to let them know, the world is out there for you to take it. Schools are contacting you because you are important; I believe it is important for these students to know they have potential.

One of the biggest misconceptions I had was that I believed the students did not want to attend college. Since the principal mentioned that most graduates did not attend college. Many of the students had visited the Southern Arkansas University campus and/or they knew students who attend SAU.These students are intelligent young men and women, they simply lack resources. Although I did not sit in on a classroom I believe it is difficult for teachers at the school to effectively teach and mentor students without adequate resources.Also when young people are in a large group, whether they are meeting new people or are sitting in class, their personality is different than when they are engaged in a serious one-on-one conversation. One of the students I met had applied to schools near Stephens, AR and many out of states schools; she understood the college admission process. However, I believe students like her can also benefit from our visit because we can let them know about the large amounts of scholarship money that is out there.I tried to emphasize to students to apply to colleges and universities early because there are more institutional scholarships offered to those who apply early.

I realized one of the biggest differences between my upbringing and their upbringing is that there were people pushing me to find out if I had completed all the necessary steps needed to apply for college. My parents, teachers and guidance counselor were constantly making sure I understood the process and supported my college related decisions. Whereas many of these students have the desire but lack the support network, and I believe having us here gives them the motivation. Although I know I cannot change the circumstances they live in and I cannot provide them with all the resources they need.But for me speaking with them one-on-one gave me the opportunity to understand how I could really help them.

Unfortunately I believe there are many schools like this throughout the nation, whether they are overpopulated or under-populated and under resourced.I would like to offer my assistance locally to schools like this. I truly believe that if I stay in contact with some of the students I met, even if I just send them an email or letter asking them how they are doing and their college applications are going that will help motivate them to apply to college. I believe every student needs to understand they are valued; colleges and universities are contacting them because they are smart, qualified students. However, some of the students I met did not understand the importance of applying, even if a student is qualified if they did not apply they will not have the opportunity to prove themselves.I will stay in touch with the students I have met because I want to see them succeed and I truly believe they can. There do not need to be any more unemployed people in Stephens, AR or anywhere in the nation, there need to me more people willing to invest in our nation’s future.

We arrived to our hotel around 3pm, central time (I think).  We planned to leave around 5am but really ended leaving closer to 6am.  One of the things we noticed while driving down was that there is very little development in the south.  There were not many housing developments, businesses or towns.  Luckily there were not many cars on the road because our drivers were a little crazy at times.  Keon started swerving  along the road when he was listening to Benny’s stories.  The ride to Mississippi was a great experience and I think it really helped us bond.  I learned so much about everyone on the trip.